How to pronounce eccentric
Say it like ik-SEN-trik. Eccentric has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce eccentric. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ik
- SEN
- trik
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Eccentric pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ikKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- SENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- trikKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of eccentric
American and British speakers say eccentric in essentially the same way: /ɪkˈsɛntrɪk/ in the US and /ɪkˈsɛntrɪk/ in the UK.
British respelling: ik-SEN-trik.
What does eccentric mean?
- conspicuously or grossly unconventional or unusual“restaurants of bizarre design--one like a hat, another like a rabbit”“famed for his eccentric spelling”
- not having a common center; not concentric“eccentric circles”
- a person with an unusual or odd personality
- a person of a specified kind (usually with many eccentricities)“a real character”“a strange character”
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with eccentric
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of eccentric.
Questions about saying eccentric
How do you pronounce eccentric?
Say ik-SEN-trik. The American pronunciation is /ɪkˈsɛntrɪk/. In British English it is /ɪkˈsɛntrɪk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in eccentric?
Eccentric has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SEN). Broken into parts: ik · SEN · trik.
Do Americans and Brits say eccentric the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ɪkˈsɛntrɪk/ and the British form is /ɪkˈsɛntrɪk/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.